Fort San Lorenzo.

It was build way long time ago, by the spanish guys (my roots), well probably only directed by them, and slaved some indians into the job, so we could have our traditional two hours nap after lunch.

Anyways, it is build on the entrance of the Chagres river and it was meant to be the fist line of protection against *the bad guys* like Henry Morgan, that kept coming with angry faces shooting cannonballs and wanting to get the gold that was in Panama.

Well, that fort is no longer needed, all the gold is gone (yea blame me). But because of the isolated location it makes a pretty ride to do.

So on the 26 of November I went with my BOA pals to ride the trail that gets to it.
Well it is not actually a trail, there is an excellent road that goes from the Gatun locks to the entrance of the Fort Sherman [one of the Gringos military bases].

After that, is where the fun begins. A quick stop at the Anam gatekeeper (to pay for the park entrance) and there we go on a mud and rocks road that a regular car could take slowly if it wasan't for the constant confrontation with fallen trees.

The round trip from the Gatun locks is about 46 km and an amateur as I am did it in 3 hours.

Yea, for some this might be discouraging, but I'll tell you, it is rewarding to bike the trail under the tree foliage and get to the magnificent view of the Chagres river entrance (this is the river we use to get the Panama Canal going).

On the way back we even encountered some howler monkeys on the trees. And we stopt to take a look at them (or for them to take a look at us).

Then the goup separated, mos of them took home, I decided to go to Portobelo and plant another cache there. [Check cache GCZHFT and GCZ9KDplanted during this trip].

With nothing else to say, let's take a look at the pictures.

Pulling the Plug

Last week. I was "realizing" that maybe I invest (spent) too much time and energy surfing the net. Ahh the great modern times.

Then I thought, how would my life be like, if I did not had the modern commodities?
In an spontaneous decision (impulsive?) I disconnected plugs.
I set myself ¨free" from the cell phone, land line, and Internet.
[I kept the electricity, otherwise the meat in the fridge would go raw].
[I do not have a TV, so one plug less to pull].

Now what?
At first, I thought I was going to go insane. I mean, I have a very active mind, I am always thinking about something (aren't we all?) I needed to direct that energy somewhere.

Anxiety, anxiety and more anxiety.

I guess I am really an addicted, and I was feeling the cut-off effects.

By Wednesday I had the situation "controlled".
I felt perfectly ok about not having Internet, a computer, or telephony services.
I actually had a general sensation of well being.
I had forgotten about the "society", I was once again doing whatever I wanted, without the concerns or expectations of the world.
I get that a lot, whenever I get alone. [And it tends to creep out some people].

Then on Tuesday as I was "reading" an old book, I came across a paragraph that basically said that "It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after out own; but the great man is who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude" - The Essential Writings; Ralph Waldo Emerson.


And although I realized I belong to the segment that is influenced by the society, it came as a strange relief, knowing that I was not the only one having that kind of issues.

How is this "new information" (the book was written in 1841) will affect me?, I do not know.
Time will tell.

Then I came back "online", and realized I did not miss much.

Tree Climbing.

Supposedly we where going to go to Cerro Gaital this weekend, however a tree climbing opportunity showed up, and the plans changed in a snap.

So we made it to the Metropolitan park, we had a special permission to get to a Ceiba tree (which is in an area not permitted to the general public).
We had Milton and Jorge, expert tree climbers of Panama Tree Climber.

Harold, Lizbeth, two ladies from the Metropolitan park office, another one, not bad looking, cousin of the manager, a couple of kids, Jelix and I.

I liked Milton's style, he is very clear on the instructions and procedures, keeping everything safe, without making it boring.

It was a great experience, I was glad I went.